Protect yourself, since the police don’t have to

Lately, several editorials have shown disdain for Iowa's new “shall issue” gun permit. Editorial word count limits my rebuttal to each. So instead, let's look at this from another perspective.

“Law enforcement agencies and personnel have no duty to protect individuals from the criminal acts of others; instead their duty is to preserve the peace and arrest law breakers for the protection of the general public.” - Lynch v. N.C. Dept. of Justice, App. 1989.

Police have no legal duty to respond and prevent crime or protect you. More than 10 Supreme and State Court cases have upheld this. You, and only you, are responsible for the security of yourself and your loved ones.

A previous editorial noted that Gabrielle Giffords' shooter was brought down by physical force, not by a gun. Perhaps that's only because no one else at the scene had practiced the right in Arizona to carry a weapon. If someone had, perhaps fewer people might have died that tragic day.

I commend Iowa legislators for easing the way of law-abiding citizens to carry should they wish to.

Robert Neff

Vinton